This verse, 2 Chronicles 11:12, describes the actions of King Rehoboam of Judah after the kingdom of Israel split. It means:
"He put shields and spears in every city": Rehoboam fortified the cities of Judah by providing them with defensive weapons (shields) and offensive weapons (spears) for the soldiers stationed there. This was a military preparedness strategy.
"and made them exceedingly strong": He didn't just give them weapons, he also likely reinforced the city walls, built towers, and took other measures to make the cities very difficult to attack. He strengthened their defenses considerably.
"Judah and Benjamin belonged to him": This clarifies the territory over which Rehoboam ruled. When the northern tribes seceded and formed the kingdom of Israel, the tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained loyal to the house of David, with Rehoboam as their king. This highlights the geographical scope of his power and the people he was responsible for protecting.
In essence, this verse depicts Rehoboam's efforts to secure and protect his kingdom (Judah and Benjamin) by investing in its military defenses after a significant portion of the nation broke away. It's about strengthening his hold on power and preparing for potential conflicts with the newly formed kingdom of Israel.
This verse, 2 Chronicles 11:12, describes the actions of King Rehoboam of Judah after the kingdom of Israel split. It means:
"He put shields and spears in every city": Rehoboam fortified the cities of Judah by providing them with defensive weapons (shields) and offensive weapons (spears) for the soldiers stationed there. This was a military preparedness strategy.
"and made them exceedingly strong": He didn't just give them weapons, he also likely reinforced the city walls, built towers, and took other measures to make the cities very difficult to attack. He strengthened their defenses considerably.
"Judah and Benjamin belonged to him": This clarifies the territory over which Rehoboam ruled. When the northern tribes seceded and formed the kingdom of Israel, the tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained loyal to the house of David, with Rehoboam as their king. This highlights the geographical scope of his power and the people he was responsible for protecting.
In essence, this verse depicts Rehoboam's efforts to secure and protect his kingdom (Judah and Benjamin) by investing in its military defenses after a significant portion of the nation broke away. It's about strengthening his hold on power and preparing for potential conflicts with the newly formed kingdom of Israel.
